ReviewCurrent reviews in musculoskeletal medicine2020
The History and Evolution of Elbow Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction: from Tommy John to 2020.
Review in Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 21 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
21 citing papers in PubMed.
- Internal Brace Augmentation Following Ulnar Collateral Ligament Release for Elbow Stiffness: A Case Series.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction and Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Biomechanical Studies.Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine · 2026Review
- Mechanisms of ulnar collateral ligament injury in baseball: criteria and rationale for return to play - a systematic review.BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation · 2025Article
- Anatomical considerations, diagnosis, and treatment of medial and posterolateral elbow rotatory instability in athletes: an arthroscopic perspective and literature review.International orthopaedics · 2025Review
- Ulnar Collateral Ligament (Tommy John) Repair With High-Strength Suture Tape Augmentation: A Modified Technical Note With a Step-by-Step Description.Arthroscopy techniques · 2025Article
- Arthroscopic Imbrication of the Anterior Bundle of the Elbow Medial Collateral Ligament With a 70° Arthroscope (MI70 Procedure).Arthroscopy techniques · 2025Article
- Major League Baseball Pitchers' Arm Angles Measured on Game Videos Were Not Associated With an Increased Risk of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury.Arthroscopy, sports medicine, and rehabilitation · 2025Article
- Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Utilizing a 3-Strand Palmaris Tendon Autograft With a Hybrid Linear Construct.Arthroscopy techniques · 2025Article
- A Multimodal Chiropractic Approach to the Treatment and Management of Medial Elbow Injuries in Elite Javelin Throwers: A Case Series.International journal of sports physical therapy · 2025Article
- Article
- Twisting technique for ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction of the elbow: new possibilities toward enhancing the strength of autografts.JSES international · 2024Article
- Tommy John Ligament Repair with Ulnar Collateral Ligament Internal Brace.Arthroscopy techniques · 2024Article
- Biomechanical Properties of Knee Medial Collateral Ligament Compared to Palmaris Longus for Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction.Annals of biomedical engineering · 2023Article
- Immunofluorescence analysis of sensory nerve endings in the periarticular tissue of the human elbow joint.Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery · 2023Article
- Factors Important to Patient Decision-Making After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury in Competitive High School and Collegiate Baseball Players.Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine · 2023Article
- Global elbow instability: a case report.JSES reviews, reports, and techniques · 2023Article
- The 50 most impactful articles on the medial ulnar collateral ligament: An altmetric analysis of online media.SAGE open medicine · 2022Review
- The Use of the Internal Brace to Repair the UCL Injury of the Elbow in Athletes.International journal of sports physical therapy · 2022Article
- Return-to-Sport Outcomes After Primary Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction With Palmaris Versus Hamstring Tendon Grafts: A Systematic Review.Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine · 2021Review
- Reconstruction of the Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament of the Elbow: The Docking Technique.Video journal of sports medicineArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purpose of reviewThe purpose of this review article is to discuss the evolution of surgical reconstruction of the anterior bundle of the UCL, otherwise known as Tommy John surgery, from Dr. Jobe's initial description in 1986 to present day. In particular, the unique changes brought forth by each new surgical technique, and the reasons that these changes were implemented, are highlighted. RECENT
findingsThe incidence of UCL reconstruction surgery continues to increase significantly, particularly in the 15- to 19-year-old age group. New anatomic understanding of the anterior bundle of the UCL, including the importance of the central fibers and the broad and tapered ulnar insertion, may affect optimal UCL reconstruction techniques in the future. Although return to play rates are generally quite high (80-95%), the mean time to return to play (typically 12-18 months for pitchers) is longer than desired. Accordingly, many authors feel that there remains room for improvement in the treatment of this common injury. The Tommy John surgery has evolved in many ways with the development of novel techniques over the last 35 years. Currently, overhead throwing athletes undergoing UCL reconstruction have high return to play and low complication rates. Future modifications to the surgery may aim to further improve outcomes and, more importantly, expedite the length of postoperative rehabilitation.
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Registered trials
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